I doubt many of you would recognize this as an insulin pump injector. I've been a Type 1 diabetic (insulin dependent) for 27 years. Back in the old days I used syringes multiple times a day to get the insulin my body required. About 10 years ago I got an insulin pump which changed my life. Every 3 days I have to put a new insertion set into my body. I fill a small vial with insulin, which goes into the pump itself (It's about he size of a small pager). From the vial runs a plastic tube that connections to me giving me a steady flow of insulin. The only needle involved is this little guy seen here. You can see the needle (with fresh primed insulin showing) in my blue automatic injector. I turn this towards my body, pull it back and press a button and in goes the needle within the plastic cannula. Once it's in, I pull out the needle portion and am left with only the plastic tubing.
Wow, very interesting to see this side. My mother had type 1 diabetes, diagnosed when I was a very little. That was back before they had machines to test your blood every day, you just took the same amount of insulin for every meal. My MIL has type 2.
I would never have guessed what it was without your description. I used to make little under slips with pockets for my Goddaughter so she could discreetly pop her pump into them. All that has changed now as she has a wireless pump.
I knew you were insulin dependent, but this shot really brings it home. If you don't concentrate on what it means (which is difficult to do), then the image is really beautiful, with perfect focus and lovely blue tones. Sorry that you have to go through it, but glad that it keeps you with your family!
My neighbours have two young daughters that are T1. They both have pumps and it has made a massive difference in their lives. I am happy to hear you also benefit from it. Wonderful shot, the drop is perfect.
I recognize it, and had to fav it!! What a great shot! I wish I could use that insertion set, but because of LOTS of scar tissue in all my usable areas, I need to use a set called 'the bent needle set' and it is about 3 inches long. It doesn't hurt (usually) but the needle gives me the heebie jeebies! LOL!
My admiration for what you do for your health is huge. I am deathly afraid of needles- long story as to why!- so having to do this is amazing to me. Yet, thinking of what had to be done in the past, this must be like a miracle in the freedom it gives you. Great shot-even though I can't look at it too long without shuddering!
I am so glad the pump helps you! My dad had type 1 and my wife has type 2. I am floating on the border and have to watch my diet carefully. great powerful image!!
My wife (T2) had a jet-injector for many years, they no longer make the nozzles for it, so she has gone to the pen-type injectors. Now we have to give shots to the dog, also.
I love how you took something that I imagine would be very difficult in your life and made something beautiful out of it. The glass is half full. Lovely!
Diabetes runs in my family, grandmother, mother and brother and some first cousins. My husband also has Type One and I know how hard it is on him. He also takes insulin injections once a day and 3 medications! Me, on the other hand goes the other way! My whole family is Type One with high readings, I'm hypoglycemic!! Of course I'd be the weird one!! So I have an idea of what you go through and all the checking of your readings each day, after and before meals and in between. The fear of your sugar dropping in the middle of the night while asleep!! So, your photo brings home how much worse it could be and yet how you manage your life with something that is such a pain in the rear!! Kudos to you for bringing it forward to the attention of all of us that do not suffer with it and more so for living your life to the fullest you can!! God Bess and Watch over you!!! FAV!
Interesting shot, it sounds like it made your life a whole lot easier. My friend wears one of these, although I didn't know all the details of how they work.
This is a beautiful image of a not so pleasant routine you have lived with for so long. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. I do hope they discover a cure for this in our life time.
This is beautiful and excellent macro and thank you for sharing, I believe you are a strong woman who turns challenges into strenght -just look what you have done here: you made art out of this injector!
That's fantastic that things have improved. I was hoping you didn't have to poke yourself at all anymore. Thanks for sharing Kim, I would never have known. Awesome shot too.
My oldest son, Josh, has type one diabetes. He is 26 and was diagnosed at 5 years of age. He has incredibly tight blood sugar management and excellent A1C scores, and he has had an insulin pump since middle school. He had a severe hypoglycemic emergency while asleep two nights ago. His cat woke up his roommates, they called 911, and he was rushed to the ER. Thank God he is ok and will be fine. So I urge you to watch your basal rates very carefully at night while asleep. He just received a brand new pump and I believe this severe hypoglycemic event may be pump related. By the way, your photograph is superb and I would FAV it ten times if the site allowed me to.
@soboy5 That's scary news about your son's trip to the ER. I'm glad he's okay. I often set my alarm and test my blood in the night just to make sure it doesn't run high or low! I long for 8 hours of consecutive sleep!!
@kwind That is an excellent idea and I will share that with him right now. Thank you for your concern. We are kindred spirits. Yesterday's emergency is the first one he has had in 21 years that sent him to the hospital. He has had plenty of low blood sugar events but never one this bad.
@soboy5 Yes, it works well. I keep my glucometer on my nightstand, so when the alarm goes I can test and usually go right back to sleep. It only takes a couple of minutes. I keep juice boxes in my nightstand drawer and arrowroot biscuits so if it is low, I don't have to exert any exercise moving to the kitchen and finding food. I've only had to go to the hospital once in the riddle of the night for really low BS. By the time I got there, I was pretty much okay but I scared my husband pretty badly at the time.
Brave to tell you story of illness. If you do n`t have this you can`t imagine what it has for impact on some ones life. Reminds us to be thankful when you are healthy. Fav. capture
I wouldn't have known what it was. Nice picture of it. I watched the video, very interesting. I'm sure you hate doing it, but also thankful to have the medicine because it helps you.
Its an incredible abstracted view of the subject, and a great informative story behind the shot too. Love the colour and precision you have created here.
Kwind ... I meant My whole family has type "2" diabetes!! Lawd I'm such a dunce at times!! Husband is type one with insulin shots!! His family has a lot of diabetes too!
it's so interesting and informative, and yet sobering to hear about something that is so personal and tough to adjust life to. the image is vibrant and striking. I have a lot of respect for the courage and routine that must be kept to stay healthy.
Yikes - he didn't scream with pain so either he's very brave or it's not as bad as it looks. We have some very little children at the school I'm governor of with Type 1 diabetes and these pumps would make a huge difference (think one had an implant but it had to be removed). Very hard when you're 4 years old.
Amazingly beautiful shot of something we should all be more aware of. Thank goodness we are around now and not 100 years ago . Thank you for sharing this information too.
That's a really cool shot and I love the description. I have a friend whose son uses a pump - never knew how it worked. Got to love 365 - teaches us so much about so many things.
